China's up-and-coming star Zhang Zhizhen stunned British number one Cameron Norrie on Monday to secure his passage to the last 16 of the Madrid Open.

The unseeded Shanghai native, who was the first men's singles tennis player from the Chinese mainland to break into the top 100, staged a thrilling comeback to outclass the 11th-seeded Norrie 2-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/2) in three sets. 

The sensational triumph came after Zhang's first win over a top 30 ranked player on Sunday, when the 26-year-old knocked out Canadian Denis Shapovalov for his first ever win at an ATP Masters 1000 event. He has now secured his first win over a player ranked in the top 20. He has also become the first man from the Chinese mainland to reach the fourth round of a Masters 1000 event. 

"I didn't even think I was going to be here in the second week of Madrid," said Zhang, who received a standing ovation after his history-making win. "Now I've made it. This is a big victory because it was an amazing match. 

"The first set was tough, I was down 6-2 but I still didn't give up. And then I won two tie-breaks, that's amazing. Normally my tie-breaks is losing one and then win. So today I had two wins, that's unbelievable really." 

Next up for Zhang, who has moved up 10 places to world number 89 with his scintillating Madrid run, will be a blockbuster clash with American number one Taylor Fritz, who burnished his title credentials with a sparkling 6-1, 7-6(4) third-round win over Cristian Garin. 

The two players have never met before, but it will be an even sterner test for Zhang as Fritz has reached at least the quarterfinals of all the eight ATP Tour events he has played in 2023. Nevertheless, Zhang is brimming with confidence. 

"Again, a top player for sure, a tough match," said the Madrid debutant. "I will try to be my best, try to fight."